Migraine Specialist

How can chiropractic help migraines and headaches?

Migraines are piercing, throbbing headaches that can affect one or both sides of your head. Often, you’ll experience other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound along with the head pain. Migraines can be disabling for several hours or days.

Muscle tension in the neck is a primary cause of headaches. Research shows that chiropractic care reduces stress that can induce migraines. Chiropractic treatment can help adjust spinal bones that aren’t supporting your head properly, which negatively affects your nerves and muscles. Regular chiropractic adjustments can put your cervical vertebrae, or neck bones, back into a supportive position.

Dr. Zimmerman can help with this tension and misalignment which may lessen or eliminate the need for medications.

What causes headaches?

A myriad of issues can cause headaches, including illness, dietary choices, a hangover, or a blow to the head. However, headaches not related to an outside cause may result from tension or compression on muscles in the neck and shoulders. Your posture can be responsible, but so can undue tension in the upper body due to physical and mental stress.

When the bones in your neck are out of alignment, they may constrict vessels that supply blood to the brain. Your body reacts with a warning sign in the form of a migraine or headache. With chiropractic care, you can regain proper blood flow and nerve function to halt headaches.

What therapies will Dr. Zimmerman use to treat migraines and headaches?

First, he’ll review your medical history and do an exam of your spine. He may also inquire about lifestyle habits, including your job, sleep habits, exercise, and diet, all of which can contribute to headaches and migraines.

Then Dr. Zimmerman will likely perform gentle manual adjustments to correct any subluxations, or misaligned vertebrae, in the spine. In addition, he’ll offer specific stretches and exercises that can alleviate tight muscles and compressed nerves.

He will offer support by sharing ways you can optimize your work and life habits to prevent chronic headaches and migraines. This may include recommendations about sleep position, work ergonomics, and relaxation techniques.

How soon will I get relief?

It really varies from person to person. Sometimes relief is almost immediate, but it may take several visits over the course of weeks or months to realign your cervical vertebrae and alleviate headache pain. Keep an open dialogue with Dr. Zimmerman so he can respond to how your body reacts to treatment.